Hi SimpleEats readers, I’m Valerie! I love everything health and wellness and eating a whole food, plant-based diet. I really enjoy yoga, cooking for my family and eating healthy. I also love reading about the “Alkaline Diet” and our digestive system and how it plays a major role in our health. The alkaline diet is basically a science- backed diet saying that our bodies are naturally alkaline and we make them acidic by eating dairy, meat and sugar and drinking coffee. And basically science proves that disease can’t live in an alkaline environment so when we can keep them that way by eating a whole food plant based diet, we won’t get sick.

I’m also in love with my 2 French Bulldogs, Dennis (6) and Greg (2) - look at these faces!

I love SimpleEatsMKE. I met Krysta at Trader Joe’s, where I also work, and one day, we just started chatting. I told her how I love to cook and was planning on making this big dinner with appetizers for my mother’s birthday and she gave me her card and told me to contact her if I was interested in cooking. I’m so happy I did and want to do more with food and wellness in the future.

I’m sharing the following 3 recipes because they’re my go-to’s (vegan versions of course). My husband Ryan is not vegan so sometimes I cater to him and add a little cheese.

GREEK SALAD

PAN FRIED LEMON RICOTTA RAVIOLI

VEGAN SMOOTHIE BOWL